How to Turn Off Google Ads on Your Account

Are you looking to pause your advertising campaigns or completely turn off Google Ads? Whether you’re reassessing your marketing strategy, taking a temporary break, or simply want to stop your ad spend, knowing how to properly turn off Google Ads is essential for managing your online advertising effectively.

Why You Might Want to Turn Off Google Ads

Before diving into the process, let’s consider some common reasons advertisers choose to turn off Google Ads:

• Seasonal business fluctuations
• Budget reallocation or constraints
• Campaign performance assessment
• Strategy pivoting or restructuring
• Brand messaging changes

Understanding your specific reason can help determine whether you need a temporary pause or a complete shutdown of your advertising efforts.

Understanding the Difference: Pause vs. Turn Off Google Ads

Pausing Campaigns: Temporarily stops your ads from running while preserving all campaign settings and history for future reactivation.

Turning Off Google Ads: Completely stops your advertising activities, which may include canceling your account if you no longer wish to advertise on the platform.

How to Pause Google Ads Campaigns

If you’re looking for a temporary solution, pausing is your best option. Here’s how to pause at different levels:

Pausing Individual Campaigns

1. Log in to your Google Ads account
2. Click on “Campaigns” in the left navigation menu
3. Find the campaign you want to pause
4. Click the status column next to the campaign name
5. Select “Paused” from the dropdown menu

Pausing Ad Groups

1. Navigate to your desired campaign
2. Click on “Ad Groups” tab
3. Find the ad group you want to pause
4. Click the status column next to the ad group name
5. Select “Paused” from the dropdown menu

Pausing Individual Ads

1. Go to your desired ad group
2. Click on “Ads & extensions”
3. Locate the specific ad you want to pause
4. Click the status column next to the ad
5. Select “Paused” from the dropdown menu

How to Completely Turn Off Google Ads

If you want to stop advertising altogether, follow these comprehensive steps:

Method 1: Turn Off All Campaigns

1. Log in to your Google Ads account
2. Click on “Campaigns” in the left navigation
3. Select all campaigns by checking the box at the top of the list
4. Click the “Edit” dropdown menu
5. Select “Pause” to stop all campaigns at once

Method 2: Cancel Your Google Ads Account

If you want to completely turn off Google Ads and stop any future billing:

1. Log in to your Google Ads account
2. Click on the tools icon in the upper right corner
3. Under “Setup,” select “Preferences”
4. Scroll down to find “Account Status”
5. Click “Cancel account”
6. Follow the prompts to confirm your cancellation

Important Note: Canceling your account will stop all ads immediately and permanently delete your account data after 14 days. If you think you might want to advertise again in the future, pausing is a better option than canceling.

What Happens After You Turn Off Google Ads?

When you turn off Google Ads by canceling your account:

• All active ads stop running immediately
• You will not be charged for any future advertising
• Your historical data will be available for approximately 14 days
• After this period, campaign data and account settings will be permanently deleted
• Your Google account itself is not affected, only your advertising account

Best Practices When Turning Off Google Ads

To ensure a smooth process when you turn off Google Ads:

• Export your data: Before canceling, download reports of your campaign performance for future reference
• Check for remaining funds: If you have prepaid billing, check if you have remaining funds in your account
• Notify team members: Ensure all stakeholders know about the change to prevent confusion
• Update your website: Remove any references to active Google Ads campaigns on your site
• Consider alternatives: Evaluate other marketing channels to maintain visibility

When to Consider Pausing Instead of Canceling

Sometimes pausing is more strategic than completely turning off Google Ads. Consider pausing if:

• You plan to resume advertising within the next few months
• You want to preserve your campaign history and optimization data
• You’re undergoing seasonal fluctuations in your business
• You need time to reassess your marketing strategy
• You’re experiencing temporary budget constraints

Reactivating Your Google Ads After Pausing

If you’ve simply paused your campaigns and want to restart them:

1. Log in to your Google Ads account
2. Navigate to “Campaigns”
3. Find your paused campaign(s)
4. Change the status from “Paused” to “Enabled”
5. Review your budget settings before activating

Conclusion

Knowing how to properly turn off Google Ads is just as important as setting them up correctly. Whether you choose to temporarily pause your campaigns or completely cancel your account depends on your specific business needs and future marketing plans.

By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can confidently manage your Google Ads account status without losing important data or incurring unwanted charges. Remember that digital marketing strategies often evolve, and the ability to effectively turn on and turn off Google Ads is an important skill in your marketing toolkit.

Need help optimizing your digital marketing strategy beyond Google Ads? Our team specializes in comprehensive digital marketing solutions tailored to your business goals. Contact us today to explore alternatives that might better serve your current needs.

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